People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals recently filed a federal complaint against SeaWorld after a dolphin reportedly bit a 9-year-old girl visiting its San Antonio park. The child's mother, who sent a photograph of the incident to PETA, could not free her daughter's hand form the dolphin's mouth, and a SeaWorld employee eventually had to shoot the animal with a water gun, according to the USDA complaint. less

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals recently filed a federal complaint against SeaWorld after a dolphin reportedly bit a 9-year-old girl visiting its San Antonio park. The child's mother, who sent a ... more

Photo: PETA

Image 2 of 7

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals recently filed a federal complaint against SeaWorld after a dolphin reportedly bit a 9-year-old girl visiting its San Antonio park.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals recently filed a federal complaint against SeaWorld after a dolphin reportedly bit a 9-year-old girl visiting its San Antonio park.

Photo: JERRY LARA, San Antonio Express-News

Image 3 of 7

PETA submitted a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture against SeaWorld San Antonio after PETA said a visitor sent the organization photos, including this one provided to the media Tuesday Dec. 11, 2012, of a dolphin PETA says has a cut on his lower mandible. PETA claims SeaWorld violated the Animal Welfare Act and highlighted a recent and similar injury to an orca whale at the SeaWorld in San Diego. less

PETA submitted a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture against SeaWorld San Antonio after PETA said a visitor sent the organization photos, including this one provided to the media Tuesday ... more

Photo: COURTESY

Image 4 of 7

PETA submitted a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture against SeaWorld San Antonio after PETA said a visitor sent the organization photos, including this one provided to the media Tuesday Dec. 11, 2012, of a dolphin PETA says has a cut on his lower mandible. PETA claims SeaWorld violated the Animal Welfare Act and highlighted a recent and similar injury to an orca whale at the SeaWorld in San Diego. less

PETA submitted a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture against SeaWorld San Antonio after PETA said a visitor sent the organization photos, including this one provided to the media Tuesday ... more

Photo: COURTESY

Image 5 of 7

Image 6 of 7

A photo from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals shows what it says is a dolphin that “latched” onto the hand and wrist of a 9-year-old girl at SeaWorld San Antonio on Saturday. SeaWorld said it has started an internal investigation. less

A photo from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals shows what it says is a dolphin that “latched” onto the hand and wrist of a 9-year-old girl at SeaWorld San Antonio on Saturday. SeaWorld said it has ... more

Photo: Courtesy

Image 7 of 7

PETA files another complaint against SeaWorld San Antonio

1 / 7

Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — SeaWorld San Antonio recently launched an internal investigation after a dolphin bit a young girl while she fed the mammal last week at the West Side park.

In a statement, SeaWorld said it provides numerous safe interactions between guests and animals every day and that “incidents like these are few and far between.”

The animal-rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals on Wednesday filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, asking it to determine whether SeaWorld violated portions of the Animal Welfare Act.

The organization claims that on Saturday, a dolphin “latched” onto the hand and wrist of a 9-year-old girl at the park's Dolphin Cove, a pool where visitors pay $12 each to touch a pod of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.

The child's mother, who sent a photograph of the incident to PETA, could not free her daughter's hand from the dolphin's mouth, and a SeaWorld employee eventually had to shoot the mammal with a water gun, according to the complaint.

The complaint cites a provision of the Animal Welfare Act that requires “sufficient distance and/or barriers between the animal and the general viewing public so as to assure the safety of animals and the public.”

Latest Business News

How to protect personal data on Facebook after data debacleFox2Detroit

Transform your outdoor space for springWBAL

Bella Thorne’s Workout Plan And How She TACKLES BulliesHollyscoop

Kroger pulling magazines covering assault-style weaponsWLWT

'Lady and the Tramp' to Get Live-Action RemakeWibbitz

Foxes Seen Playing on Trampoline in Snow in CroydonStoryful

Facebook Stock Drop a "Gross Overreaction"- Gene MunsterCheddar TV

SeaWorld said in its statement that the safety of its guests and animals remains a top priority.

“SeaWorld staff was present at Dolphin Cove during the incident, and responded quickly to assist the guest, who received on-site medical evaluation,” the statement reads. “After the incident, she and her family stayed in the park and visited other attractions.”

PETA, however, countered that a park employee blamed the incident on the girl, “claiming that the child was bitten because she held out her hand in a way that made it look as if she was holding a treat.”